Police still looking for gunman from brawl

Staff ReportJanuary 03. 2014 9:10PMMANCHESTER — Detectives continue to search for a gunman who fired off several rounds from a 9 mm handgun during a brawl involving as many as 40 people early New Year’s Day.

“The people detectives were able to track down and talk to about the incident weren’t very forthcoming,” said Lt. Maureen Tessier on Friday.

The street fight and gunshots were reported about 1:45 a.m. A witness told police a man pointed a gun at the ground and fired it three times. Police recovered a 9 mm casing at the scene.

Tessier said no one was injured and investigators have not found any damaged property.

When officers arrived shortly after being called, two men were still fighting. Both fled when an officer yelled for them to stop.

Officer Casey Finn chased after them, and one ducked into a doorway out of sight. Finn caught up to the second man, identified as Frankie Peralta, 28, of 197 Laurel St. He was arrested for resisting arrest.

Finn then spoke with the person who called police. The witness told the officer the fight involved up to 40 people and a man fired three shots at the ground.

The gunman is described as Hispanic, about 5-foot-9, with black curly hair, wearing a black, hooded sweatshirt.

Finn also picked up a denim vest that was on the ground next to the bullet casing.

Alex Ortiz, 21, of 313 Lowell St. approached Finn saying the vest was his and he wanted it back. Finn refused, telling Ortiz the vest was evidence.

Ortiz allegedly protested the confiscation of his vest and wound up in handcuffs for allegedly causing a disturbance.

While being booked at the station, Ortiz spat at one of the officers, according to police, and subsequently was charged with simple assault.

Two other men also were arrested: Jonathan Gallego, 21, and Pedro Gallego, 23, both of 165 Laurel St. Tessier said police reports do not indicate their relationship, if any.

As Finn and Officer Raymond Youngs were chasing Peralta, Jonathan Gallego allegedly lunged at Youngs and shouted obscenities at the officer.

Pedro Gallego was arrested on an unrelated warrant for operating after suspension.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to all police at 668-8711. Anonymous tips for cash rewards may be made through Manchester Crimeline at 624-4040 or online at manchestercrimeline.org .